My Chocolate Fantasy

Are you looking for ways to save this holiday gift-giving season? With your children’s teachers, neighbors, doctors, and even loving grandparents – your gift list just keeps growing. This year give the gift that keeps on giving, without blowing your budget. Homemade goodies reserve a special place amongst the array of store bought gifts. Fruitcake isn’t the only food worth giving this season. One of my favorite gifts to give are quick breads. Too busy to cook around the holidays? No problem – quick breads are easy to make and can be made ahead of time and frozen.I promise, Chocolate Zucchini Bread is one of my absolute favorite nutritious-and-delicious quick breads, so don’t let this combination startle you. Easy Cranberry Yam Bread is another family favorite that gets requested every year!   Also, make the bread in different size loaf pans to give an assortment of different type breads—or maybe you need just a little something for a present.Another great gift idea is my yummy Snack Mix. So easy to whip up, I often find myself craving the combination of this sweet and salty treat. You can use red and green M&M’s to get into that festive holiday spirit. Fill decorative containers with the Snack Mix and this fun gift becomes functional as they have the container to use forever. The holiday season is often thought of as a season to splurge. Give your wallet and your waistline a break with these holiday favorites. By adding a personal touch to your next holiday gifts you can let your gift-giving list grow without worry. These delicious homemade recipes are the perfect economical gift everyone will enjoy – with a trim and terrific twist.  Visit www.hollyclegg.com or thehealthycookingblog.com for more recipes.Chocolate Zucchini Bread This delicious chocolate bread gets extra moisture and nutrition from unassuming zucchini. Chocolate lovers will be delighted.16 servings/serving size: 1 slice1 cup all-purpose flour1/2 cup whole wheat or all-purpose flour1/4 cup cocoa1 teaspoon baking soda1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon1/2 teaspoon baking powder1 cup light brown sugar2 large eggs1/3 cup canola oil1 teaspoon vanilla extract1 1/2 cups shredded zucchini1/2 cup chopped walnuts1/4 cup skim milk1. Preheat oven 350° F.  Coat 9x5x3-inch nonstick loaf pan with non-stick cooking spray.  2. In bowl combine flours, cocoa, baking soda, cinnamon, baking powder.  In medium bowl, mix brown sugar, eggs, oil, vanilla until blended. Stir in zucchini and walnuts.  3. Using third of flour mixture each time, add flour mixture alternating with milk to zucchini mixture, stirring lightly after each addition just until moist.4. Transfer batter to pan, bake 45-55 minutes or until toothpick inserted in middle comes out clean.  Do not overbake. Nutrition information per serving: Calories 177, Calories from Fat 72, Total Fat 8 g, Saturated Fat 1 g, Cholesterol 27 mg, Sodium 108 mg, Total Carbohydrate 24 g, Dietary Fiber 1 g, Sugars, 14 g, Protein 3 g, Diabetic Exchanges: 1 1/2 starch, 1 fatTERRIFIC TIDBIT: In quick breads, replace up to half of the all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour – an easy way to add more nutrition to the bread and enhance the nutty flavor.Easy Cranberry Yam BreadCream cheese gives this incredible, yet easy, bread a rich flavor packed with the natural sweetness of yams and a burst of cranberries. It will top your quick bread list. Toss in some pecans for added flavor and crunch.Makes 16 slices1 (8-ounce) package reduced-fat cream cheese, softened1 cup sugar1 (15-ounce) can sweet potatoes (yams), drained and mashed2 eggs11/2 cups biscuit baking mix1 teaspoon ground cinnamon1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg1 cup dried cranberries, or 1 cup chopped fresh cranberries1. Preheat oven 350°F. Coat 9 x 5 x 3-inch loaf pan with nonstick cooking spray. 2. In large mixing bowl, cream together cream cheese and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in sweet potatoes and eggs. Stir in biscuit mix, cinnamon, nutmeg, cranberries until just blended. Transfer to prepared pan. 3. Bake 45 minutes – 1 hour, or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pan 15 minutes before serving.Nutritional information per servingCalories 189, Protein (g) 4, Carbohydrate (g) 31, Fat (g) 6, Calories from Fat (%) 26, Saturated Fat (g) 3, Dietary Fiber (g) 1, Cholesterol (mg) 37, Sodium (mg) 231 Diabetic Exchanges: 1.5 starch, 0.5 fruit, 1 fat Quick TipMini loaves of quick bread make wonderful homemade gifts. Make ahead, wrap in plastic wrap, place in zipper-lock bags, and freeze until ready to give. Snack MixHere’s an easy recipe that makes a great snack mix any time of day. Sweet and salty mixes are always a great combo and this mix is addicting!Makes 20 (1/2-cup) servings3 tablespoons sesame oil3 tablespoons honey1 tablespoon soy sauce1/2 teaspoon garlic salt1/2 teaspoon onion powder4 cups crispy wheat cereal squares6 cups mini pretzels1 cup soy nuts1 cup dry roasted peanuts1 cup candy-coated chocolate pieces1. Preheat oven 250°F. Whisk together sesame oil, honey, soy sauce, garlic salt, and onion powder. 2. Toss together cereal squares, pretzels, soy nuts, and peanuts in large bowl. Drizzle oil mixture over cereal mixture, tossing gently to coat. 3. Scatter mixture on foil-lined jelly roll pan, bake 25 minutes, stirring often to prevent too much browning. Turn off oven and let cereal stay in oven 1 hour to continue crisping. When cool, toss with chocolate candies. Store in an airtight container for up to one week.Nutritional information per servingCalories 242, Protein (g) 8, Carbohydrate (g) 32, Fat (g) 10, Cal. from Fat (%) 37, Saturated Fat (g) 3, Dietary Fiber (g) 3, Cholesterol (mg) 2, Sodium (mg) 400, Diabetic Exchanges: 0.5 very lean meat, 1 starch, 1 other carbohydrate, 2 fat

Caramel chocolate trifle, though, is more of an adults’ dessert, thanks to that rich chocolate taste, which is given added richness by the addition of a small splash of Tia Maria liqueur to the chocolate mixture.

And whereas many of us would think of trifles as being soft and gooey, this indulgent dessert has an extra smooth yet firmer texture thanks to the addition of a generous helping of Fairtrade dark chocolate caramels. Giving a further contrast to the flavour of the chocolate are the raspberries, whose bittersweet flavour really cuts through the rich mixture.

Trifles might have gone out of vogue in some quarters, and in others they might even evoke not altogether pleasant memories of the artificial flavours which typified attempts to produce a ‘quick and easy’ version. But our caramel chocolate trifle is truly bursting with deep, sweet tastes – and is almost as simple to make as those trifles-in-a-flash of old.

It’s amazing to think that a dessert this luxurious can be put together in just 15 minutes. All you have to bear in mind, of course, is that it will need at least a couple of hours’ chilling time, which will ensure that all the flavours settle down, and each spoonful will reward you with the plethora of rich tastes which each of the ingredients contributes.

This is one of those desserts which, as you look at it, immediately makes you want to grab a spoon and just sink it into the mixture, emerging with a little taste of each ingredient which melt together on the tongue and just leave you anticipating the next mouthful.

Yes, it’s indulgent, and yes, it’s sweet and rich. But that is surely the hallmark of so many great desserts. And for anyone to whom a new twist on an old, old favourite sounds like a great idea, this caramel chocolate trifle will be music to your tastebuds!

We all like the indulgence every now and again so why not treat yourself to a chocolate trifle which are very tasty or maybe try a chocolate cheesecake for the ultimate guilty pleasure.

Valentine Caramel Chocolate apples might seem, at first blush, like an unusual Valentine’s Day treat, but consider them for just a moment and you’ll realize how appropriate they are. During this annual festival of high-calorie treats, what better way to say “I love you” than with a delicious caramel treat, with a healthy, fresh apple inside?Your significant other will be speechless with surprise when you present him or her with their own Valentine Caramel Chocolate apple, from Swiss Maid Fudge. This nostalgic childhood treat may be a tad unconventional, but it’s more than capable of melting a heart.Swiss Maid Fudge, maker of Valentine Caramel Chocolate apples and other candies and treats, is a Wisconsin-based confectioner, family-run for two generations. They distinguish themselves from other makers of Valentine candies in their commitment to traditional candy-making methodologies. When you order a Valentine Caramel Chocolate apple (or any other product) from Swiss Maid, realize that you’re receiving a product that was prepared according to the same methods and specifications employed in Europe decades ago. This means that copper kettles, open gas fires, and iron stoves are all to be found in Swiss Maid’s kitchens.Swiss Maid is also committed to using only the best, all-natural ingredients in all its products, including its Valentine Caramel Chocolate apples. They use the best one-hundred percent Wisconsin sweet cream butter, the heaviest cream, pure chocolate and real vanilla to make chocolates and candies that taste just as they should. Boxed chocolates from the supermarket can’t approach the degree of authenticity possessed by Swiss Maid Valentine Caramel Chocolate apples, and other products.Swiss Maid doesn’t only sell Valentine apples dipped in caramel and chocolate. They offer a wide variety of candy-coated apples, to suit every taste. Their Cinnamon Apple Pie apple wears a delectable coat of cinnamon-dusted caramel and white chocolate. Their Rocky Mountain apple mixes buttery caramel and milk chocolate with chunks of white chocolate and fresh almonds, for a rich, chunky eating experience, with a fresh, juicy center.Peanut Caramel apples add crushed bits of peanut to a coating of plain caramel, while Pecan Caramel apples substitute crushed pecans. The Valentine Caramel Chocolate apples themselves consist of a Granny Smith apple dunked in caramel, then white chocolate, and coated with white and pink sprinkles, for a holiday-appropriate splash of color.Though Swiss Maid is located in Wisconsin, they accept online orders for their Valentine Caramel Chocolate apples and other products, and will ship Continental U.S. Swiss Maid always ships freshly-made products, right from their kitchens, and so when you order your Valentine Caramel Chocolate apple from out of state, do so in the knowledge that the apple you receive will still be as fresh as it was when Swiss Maid packed it up.Swiss Maid Fudge is a Wisconsin based maker of Valentine Caramel Chocolate apples and other fudge and candy products. For more information, visit SwissMaidFudge.

Who doesn’t love chocolate? Well there are some but for the majority of us with a sweet tooth we just can’t resist that second, third (is there any need to go on?) bar of that lovely, creamy, succulent chocolate. The chances of feeling guilty after eating those lovely bars of chocolate are quite high.

We all know how difficult it is to find great quality chocolate that is not only low in fat and sugar, but low in carbs and made with natural sweetener. The chocolate also contains what is known as Inulin. Inulin is a dietary fiber that is a pre-biotic. This means it is good for your body on the inside and the outside. It helps digestion and promotes good health throughout.

So, just because you want a low carb, low calorie diet doesn’t mean you have to miss out on all the good stuff. We make all of our chocolate with real cocoa butter and it is packed full with fiber-rich Inulin. Even if you are not on a diet, what better way is there to have a treat without having all the guilt that goes along with it?

I happened to find a place where none of the chocolate contains maltitol and is truly delicious and nutritious to boot. They use Erythritol and not maltitol, the chocolate will not cause you any stomach distress as it is easily digestible, sweet and so tasty.

Erythritol is a sugar alcohol that is from naturally derived sources, it looks and tastes just like normal sugar, but it is much better for your overall health and weight. It is a sugar alcohol that is made from plants or starches. It can be found in grapes, in mushrooms, in cheese, wine, beer and many more sources. It doesn’t upset digestive systems and is gentle on your body. Erythritol contains almost zero sugar and helps assist a healthy and low calorie diet.

The place I’m talking about is cocoawishes. Their chocolate is so appetizing, just looking at the pictures will make your mouth water. They ensure you will be satisfied with our chocolate as it is made with love and care. You can have any of these melting in your mouth in both milk chocolate and dark chocolate.

So even if you love chocolate and can’t bear to give it up while you are on a diet or looking to eat healthier, theirs an answer to your problems. If you love chocolate the way they do, do check out their specials. Enjoy this amazing and succulent chocolate without any of the guilt or despair afterwards.

Life is too short to cut out what we love to eat, that is why one should go out and pamper yourself with a little indulgence of chocolate. You won’t have to sacrifice your health or your love of chocolate.